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Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Could/can you still manage to diligently and sincerely pursue the activities nonetheless (like Bodhidharma so diligently sitting for so long) working toward its successful accomplishment?

Is this just "going with the flow"? I don't think so. Some things require the rousing of energy and inspiration on demand, placing this against that, and putting our backs into it. There are times when....in all honesty... denying that an outcome is deeply important to us, is just kidding ourselves. So can there still be that fully human passion ...that total involvement, and "Great Space Nothing Holy"...... at once ? That is what this is about for me, it has to be. It is all fine on the cushion, or on retreat where I just follow a schedule. But in a life of many responsibilities that must be met every day...

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

"Can you think of some activities in your life that would be/are richer when undertaken dropping completely all thought of reason or merit or goal or holiness/specialness to it? "

Simply spending quality time with my sons. When I let go of expectations of they should act, how we should play or how we should read a book and just be with them in the moment, the experience flows naturally. I feel our connection and love for each other more fully.

I have to admit it's overwhelming to read all of the posts but it's good practice.

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Many of the things I do seem more meaningful when I stop worrying about the outcome or "getting somewhere" -- just working in the garden, or knitting something, or drawing, or sewing a rakusu :wink:

There's another side to this, too, when we talk about dropping ideas of certain things being special or "holy." I think Jundo expressed in well in another thread recently when he talked about changing his daughter's dirty diapers as something holy. Yeah, it kind of is! I think of unpleasant tasks that way more often, everyday life things like housework, dealing with certain family members, confronting my own mind theater. Nothing's holy, and yet everything is.

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

I have to admit it's overwhelming to read all of the posts but it's good practice.

Gassho,
Ekai

Thank you Ekai,
I agree, I'm learning to accept my current level of understanding.
I don't get it but it's OK.

Gassho
Gary

Hi Ekai and Gary. I don't know about anyone else, but as a long time Buddhist stumbler, I have gotten good at talking the talk.. In fact there is no shortage of "understanding". But it hasn't done much good. On this forum some people sound like they have a "deeper" understanding, some sound like they do not understand that much... some people sound like they have put down "understanding" and are just practicing well. I'm here to learn to put down my head full of understanding and accept guidance.... and support in practice. It isn't easy, because old habits die hard.

So.. I just hope you don't sell yourselves short because some people can talk the talk..

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

I have to admit it's overwhelming to read all of the posts but it's good practice.

Gassho,
Ekai

Thank you Ekai,
I agree, I'm learning to accept my current level of understanding.
I don't get it but it's OK.

Gassho
Gary

Hi Ekai and Gary. I don't know about anyone else, but as a long time Buddhist stumbler, I have gotten good at talking the talk.. In fact there is no shortage of "understanding". But it hasn't done much good. On this forum some people sound like they have a "deeper" understanding, some sound like they do not understand that much... some people sound like they have put down "understanding" and are just practicing well. I'm here to learn to put down my head full of understanding and accept guidance.... and support in practice. It isn't easy, because old habits die hard.

So.. I just hope you don't sell yourselves short because some people can talk the talk..

Gassho, kojip

Well, I actually meant that it is overwhelming to read through the posts time-wise and with life-work-family balance. Also, I spend a lot of time on the computer due to my career so after a while, my eyes start to hurt trying to read everything on the screen. But it's worth the effort, non-effort.

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Bodhidharm was lucky, Benka was not. Bodhidharma went on to practice for nine years. Did the Emporer get the treasure in the end?
In some translations Bodhidharma's response is 'No idea'. When we are one who are we? The child we are with, the book we are reading, the kesa being sewn or even just no idea.
No idea, NO PROBLEM !

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

I have to admit it's overwhelming to read all of the posts but it's good practice.

Gassho,
Ekai

Thank you Ekai,
I agree, I'm learning to accept my current level of understanding.
I don't get it but it's OK.

Gassho
Gary

Hi Ekai and Gary. I don't know about anyone else, but as a long time Buddhist stumbler, I have gotten good at talking the talk.. In fact there is no shortage of "understanding". But it hasn't done much good. On this forum some people sound like they have a "deeper" understanding, some sound like they do not understand that much... some people sound like they have put down "understanding" and are just practicing well. I'm here to learn to put down my head full of understanding and accept guidance.... and support in practice. It isn't easy, because old habits die hard.

So.. I just hope you don't sell yourselves short because some people can talk the talk..

Gassho, kojip

Thank you Kokip, I'm no scholar, I tend to take these teachings on face value, maybe a shallow view but it's fine I have my whole life to work it out. 8)

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Originally Posted by Ekai

Well, I actually meant that it is overwhelming to read through the posts time-wise and with life-work-family balance.

Hi,

Well, it is certainly not about quantity of words or reading every word ... and one word or no words (as in Buddha's 'talk' in case 1) is ample. What is vital is to find these Teachings right in the heart of " life-work-family balance."

Originally Posted by Gary

I'm learning to accept my current level of understanding.

We all, always, have our "current level of understanding, not understanding and non-understanding."

BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Kojip, thank you for keeping us all honest. I tend to love the sound of my own voice. These days the silence of Zazen is so profound I do not trust much of what comes out of my mouth.

The acknowledgement of the limits of our knowledge marks the beginning of our openness to experience, to wisdom. Sometimes knowledge is an impediment to experience. Where knowledge ends, and witnessing the experience beyond, is a significant part of Zen.

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Kojip, thank you for keeping us all honest. I tend to love the sound of my own voice. These days the silence of Zazen is so profound I do not trust much of what comes out of my mouth.

The acknowledgement of the limits of our knowledge marks the beginning of our openness to experience, to wisdom. Sometimes knowledge is an impediment to experience. Where knowledge ends, and witnessing the experience beyond, is a significant part of Zen.

Thank you both for sharing a remarkable piece of integrity.

Gassho
Yugen

Being a combination of too clever, and kinda thick... it took me almost twenty years to actually just sit.. aint it the silliest thing? :lol: Maybe metaphysical grasping just has to wear out for some folks..

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Hello,

I have recently taken up archery lessons (western style)...and although I am usually the first one to point out all the fallacies regarding the whole Archery+Zen craze started by Eugen Herrigel's book....I have found my archery practise to be unique in the way it clearly just is what it is, no matter whether one is hitting the bullseye or not. Gently but firmly pickung up the arrow, I hit the bullseye with every conscious action, even before the arrow leaves my bow. Where the arrow lands is of no importance. Beginning, middle, end all dissolve in a foolish fumbling idiot doing what he is doing. And there is nothing there, no holiness and nothing lacking...and no one writing this.

BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

For me, sometimes "I don't know" can mean "I don't care enough or I don't want to take the time to think about it'. Other times, "I don't know" is an active, curious, vibrant thing.
"Why sit?", the reasons change continuously. I'm ok with sitting for the next 10 years just to see what happens.

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Hi all,

The way I read it was that Emperor Wu asked a very loaded question and Bodhidharma was well aware what Wu was asking: Since I have built these temples that ordained monks I believe I'm entitled to some merit. So, Wu was already starting the conversation off on the "wrong" foot by implying that he was owed something for the deeds he had done. Further, as the questioning continued, it then became clear that Wu was seeking merit without even understanding what merit he could earn! Wu was also attached the idea of holiness, something I have never connected with buddhism (perhaps "wholiness" though). Then, after Bodhidharma had tried to answer Wu's questions it was obvious that the Emperor was not yet ready to begin walking the path. Ultimately, Wu is very confused and wants to know who this Bodhidharma guy is and where he gets off giving him these cryptic answers, at least according to Wu they are cryptic. So, Wu asks him, "Who stands here before ME?" and Bodhidharma's response is "I don't know". To my mind, this was Bodidharma giving up on the conversation in one sense, but also to offer Wu a challenge. If Wu responded by continuing to build temples that ordain monks by no longer seeking merit he will have found the answer to the question. If Wu does not build more temples or continues to do it in seeking merit, he will never find the answer to the question. I honestly don't know if Bodhidharma's sitting for nine years was prompted by the exchange he had with Wu, but if the implication is that he did...he did it to show who he was...seeking nothing, gaining so much for the non-seeking.

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 2

Hi Rimon,
Hope all is well in beautiful Barcelona.

Yes. You are right. Everybody is Bodhidharma.
AND
I am not Bodhidharma. He lived a long time ago in a distant land. What do I know of him really?
Indeed!
I am Bodhidharma! And so are you! There is no distance at all!